Positive body image is a pathway between nature contact and life satisfaction across 58 nations
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Appendix A. Supplementary Data
Published Version
Date
2026-06-04
Authors
Swami, Viren
Voracek, Martin
Stieger, Stefan
Aavik, Toivo
Ranjbar, Hamed Abdollahpour
Adebayo, Sulaiman Olanrewaju
Afhami, Reza
Ahmed, Oli
Aimé, Annie
Akel, Marwan
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published Version
Abstract
Time spent in nature benefits human mental and physical well-being. However, much of the variance in outcomes of nature contact remains unexplained, suggesting that new mechanistic pathways need to be considered. Here, we tested a novel conceptual model linking nature contact with life satisfaction via pathways involving positive experiences of living in and experiencing the world through the physical self. Using data from the Body Image in Nature Survey (BINS; N = 50,363), representing respondents from 58 nations and speaking 36 different languages, we find that nature contact is associated with greater self-compassion and greater perceived restoration in nature, which in turn are associated with more positive body image. In addition, more positive body image is associated with greater life satisfaction. These associations were robust to sensitivity tests, generalised to all gender identities and age groups, and held individually in almost all national groups and languages. Although replications are needed, we propose that the materialities of natural environments help to link bodily experiences to the production and experience of well-being, a process that is largely stable across national groups.
Description
Keywords
Body image , Connectedness to nature , Perceived restoration , Nature contact , Life satisfaction , Self-compassion , [AppliedPsychology]
Citation
Swami, V. et al. (2026) “Positive body image is a pathway between nature contact and life satisfaction across 58 nations,” Environment International, 212, (20pp), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2026.110277.